Watch: Leighton Baines discusses how he maintains his mental health

Everton defender Leighton Baines has discussed how he maintains his mental health as a professional footballer and has urged people to “find the right tools” to deal with any problems they may be suffering with.

Baines, who opened the scoring in Everton’s ridiculous 22-0 pre-season win on Sunday, was speaking with the Liverpool-based social enterprise The Mind Map.

Founded by editor and Mental Health First Aid instructor Phil Bridges, The Mind Map normalise mental health through their online magazine content, exhibitions and events, helping young people navigate towards mental health services.

They also provide workshops for young people and are working with Liverpool John Moores University to research the mental health support currently available for UK students

“Probably part of my nature is that you want to be able to [please everybody],” Baines said. “But you get to a point where you realise it’s not possible and it’s too much pressure to put on yourself to do that.”

He added: “The more people that come out and show those vulnerabilities then the more it may encourage other people to – even if it’s not comfortable and you don’t want to come out and talk about it – just feel consoled almost.

“Even in a way that you’re looking to these people whose lives maybe look perfect and know that it’s not the case. No-one’s life is perfect, everyone is dealing with something.”

Watch the full clip below. We love him.

You can support The Mind Map to train teachers in Youth Mental Health First Aid via their Crowdfunder.

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